Hailsham rider runs London Marathon

Published:17:10Monday 02 May 2011

Hailsham rider Jeannine Williamson ran the Virgin London Marathon and has so far raised £1,500 for The Brooke Hospital for Animals.

The plucky rider, who looks after a horse at Primrose Farm in Arlington, won a ballot place in the event, her first ever marathon, and completed the course in 4hrs 32min. All the money raised will go to the charity that helps working equines in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Jeannine Williamson said: “It was absolutely incredible. People who had done the London Marathon told me about the amazing crowd support and atmosphere, but you really have to experience it to fully appreciate the sheer scale of the event. The excitement on the day and the cheers from the crowd and people calling your name all help to get you round and make it totally unforgettable.”

It took three years for the rider to get a place in the marathon and she was ‘delighted’ to get a place.

She added: “I want to say a huge thank to everyone who has supported me so generously and helped raise money for The Brooke. I have seen the charity’s work first hand in Egypt, Jordan and India and I know that every penny is really well spent and the money they have donated will go a huge way to helping horses, donkeys and mules who work in desperately harsh conditions and the owners who often rely on them for their family’s entire income.”

In recent years Jeannine has completed the Eastbourne and Hastings half marathons, Budapest half marathon and Great South Run in aid of the charity and taken part in Brooke fundraising rides in Egypt, Jordan, India, Mongolia and Iceland.